Alpha Des Obeaux (Davy Russell) wins the feature at Thurles© Photo Healy Racing
Alpha Des Obeaux recorded his first win since joining Gordon Elliott over the summer when making all in the Boomerang Animal Bedding And Boomerang Horse & Country Store Chase at Thurles.
The eight-year-old was a high-class performer over both hurdles and fences for Mouse Morris, notably filling the runner-up spot behind Thistlecrack in the 2016 Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, while his most recent win came 12 months ago in the Clonmel Oil Chase.
The Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding switched to Elliott prior to the start of this season and, after making a promising start for his new trainer when fifth in the Munster National, finished second to leading Ladbrokes Trophy hope Kemboy when defending his Clonmel crown last week.
Turning out just seven days later, Elliott’s charge was the 4/9 favourite against just two rivals but it proved an exciting Listed race.
Henry de Bromhead’s triple Grade One winner Valseur Lido and Francis Casey’s in-form veteran Eight Till Late both closed up on the run to the final fence, but Alpha Des Obeaux jumped it well and landed running to prevail by a length and a quarter.
Valseur Lido edged out Eight Till Late, who was far from fluent at the last, for the runner-up spot.
This completed a quick short-priced double for Elliott and Davy Russell, who also combined to land the opener with Mrs Lovett (2/5fav).
Russell said: “He is a credit to everybody and it was a lovely opportunity for him, for him to get his head back in front was great. Obviously Mouse has done a marvellous job with him.
“You couldn’t ask for much more and he jumped great, but the ground was as lively as he wanted.”
(TW & AM)
